Tennessee House Bill HB7111

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 8/21/23
• Refer: 8/24/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 18; Title 33; Title 37; Title 38 and Title 39, relative to records.

Impact

The bill also establishes a review mechanism for TBI to assess and report on existing barriers that hinder the effective submission of criminal history information by January 1, 2024. This report will aim to identify issues related to complete and timely reporting, thereby allowing for targeted improvements within the systems utilized for background checks. The implications of such regulations can significantly affect law enforcement, judicial efficiency, and overall public safety in Tennessee by reinforcing trust in the accuracy of criminal records.

Summary

House Bill 7111 seeks to enhance the accuracy and integrity of criminal background check systems in Tennessee. The legislation mandates that all courts, including circuit, criminal, chancery, general sessions, and county courts, submit relevant information timely and accurately into the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's (TBI) FlexCheck database or directly into TICS. This move is designed to ensure that all pertinent criminal record information is uniformly accessible and up-to-date, facilitating better decision-making in the background check process for various purposes such as employment and firearm purchases.

Contention

Discussions surrounding HB 7111 may involve concerns over privacy and the potential consequences of increased scrutiny in background checks. Since the legislation promotes more stringent tracking and reporting of criminal histories, various stakeholders may raise issues about how this data is managed, the potential for misuse, and the fairness of having automatically accessible criminal records. As the bill progresses, it will be crucial to monitor opinions from civil rights organizations and legal advocates regarding the balance between public safety and individual privacy rights.